The Rules My Brothers Made

Chapter 12

I gave Evan a startled look as Jackson stormed away.  "Go ahead."  He told me, pulling away from me and helping me off the counter.  I gave him a grateful smile before I ran out of the bathroom and chased after Jackson.  Due to the crowd downstairs, his large form had made a slow getaway and I caught up to him pretty quickly halfway up the stairs.

"Jackson, please stop."  I begged as I tugged his arm.  He yanked it out of my grasp and continued to move slowly up towards the rest of the party.  "Jackson, come on, it’s not what it looks like."

He turned around, and I could see the anger flashing in his eyes.  I cowered slightly under his menacing stare.  "Really?"  He spat out.  "Because it looked an awful lot like you were making out in a bathroom.  And if I recall, you aren’t allowed to do that, remember?  Isn’t that what you told me?"

"I'm not, Jackson.  That's why we were hiding down here where my brothers aren't around."  I reached for his arm and gently touched his shoulder.  "I'm sorry.  But if you give me a chance, I'll tell you the whole story."

"The thing is, Meg, I don’t care.  I came to find you to see if you wanted to come out with Brianna and I for milkshakes."

"You're going to hang out with Bri?  That's awesome!"  I exclaimed.  "Oh, I knew you would love her!"

"Yeah, I do.  Because the thing is, she is actually a real nice girl.  Unlike you."  He snarled.

Well, ouch.  "Jackson, I know you’re upset I didn’t tell you, but..."

"Really, you think I'm mad because you didn't tell me?  Wow.  I'm out of here.  Have a nice life."

He took off through the crowd, leaving me stunned at the top of the stairs.  Oh, hell no is he pulling that girly crap.  "Jackson, stop it right now!"  I yelled after him.  He was out the front door by now, but once again, I quickly caught up with him right outside the front door.  Brianna was waiting for him on the front walk.  "You know what?  You don't even know what happened.  You're supposed to be my friend, and now you're just running away without talking to me.  Who does that?"

He turned around and faced me.  His anger seemed to have dimmed a little, but there was still a muted fury in his eyes.  "The thing is, Meghan, I didn't want to be your friend.  From the minute I saw you, I wanted more.  Then I heard about these stupid rules, and figured, hey, I guess it's not meant to be.  But now I see that you’re breaking your precious rules with someone else, and that stings.  So excuse me for not being a good enough friend, but you are the one treating me like shit, not the other way around."

Brianna looked really uncomfortable.  "Hey, Jackson, I think I should just go home.  We can hang out another time."

"No."  He said gently.  "I want to hang out with you."  He turned to walk towards her.  I looked at Bri, who was refusing to meet my eye.

"Jackson, I really didn't mean for this to happen.  I like you, but just as a friend.  That's all I ever saw you as.  I'm sorry if you thought there was more, but there really isn't.  Not on my end at least.  But I'm really sorry you felt differently."  I said softly.

He turned to face me again.  The anger was definitely back.  "See?  That's bullshit."

"It is not!"  I defended myself.

"Not what you're saying.  It's you, your whole routine.  You come off as this sweet, innocent little girl, but you're just another worthless slut."

I opened my mouth to yell at him, but was quickly shoved to the side as someone pushed by me.  Before I knew it, Jackson was on the ground, and Matt had been the one to tackle him to the solid surface.  I didn't even know Matt was here.  Crap.  I looked around and realized I had caused a scene again.  "Matt, leave him alone.  Just let it go."  I called out, but Matt was too busy holding Jackson down by his shirt collar.